The Planning Commission may reduce the
minimum lot area and dimensions required for a lot or lots proposed
for detached single-family residential dwellings in the SR, TR, CBC,
and MR Zoning Districts upon a finding that:
The proposed reduction shall result
in residential development that is compatible and harmonious with
existing and planned land uses in the area and no lot will be created
that is so narrow or otherwise so irregularly shaped that it would
be impractical to construct a residence thereon; or
The proposed reduction shall result
in residential development that is compatible and harmonious with
existing and planned land uses in the area and reasonable development
of a proposed development site is limited by existing natural site
features such as nontidal wetlands, floodplain, or other sensitive
area. Reasonable development, for the purpose of this section, does
not guarantee maximum possible development under this chapter. Achieving
the maximum possible density is not sufficient justification alone
to permit a reduction in the minimum lot area and dimensions.
The reduction in lot size and dimensions allowed shall be the minimum required in all cases and shall not result in any lot for a detached single-family residential dwelling that has an area of less than 5,000 square feet. In no case shall this provision be construed as permitting a density in excess of the maximum permitted residential density set forth in § 128-117.
Subject to §§ 128-109 and 128-116, and Subsection B below, every lot developed for residential purposes shall have the number of square feet per dwelling unit indicated in the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations (§ 128-117). The column entitled "Residential Density: Maximum Dwelling Units Per Acre" shall be used to determine the number of dwelling units permissible on a tract of land.
Two-family conversions and primary residences
with an accessory apartment shall be allowed only on lots having at
least 150% of the minimum square footage required for one dwelling
unit on a lot in such district.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing standard, the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations (§ 128-117) indicates minimum lot widths that are recommended and are deemed presumptively to satisfy the standard set forth in Subsection A. The lot width shall be measured along a straight line connecting the points at which a line that demarcates the required setback from the street intersects with lot boundary lines at opposite sides of the lot.
Subject to §§ 128-113[1] and 128-116 and the other provisions of this section, no portion of any building shall be located on any lot closer to any lot line or to the street right-of-way line than is authorized in the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations (§ 128-117).
If the street right-of-way line is
readily determinable (by reference to a recorded map, set markers,
or other means), the setback shall be measured from such right-of-way
line. If the right-of-way line is not so determinable, the setback
shall be measured from the street center line, and 15 feet shall be
added to the setback depth indicated in the table.
As used in this section, the term
"building" includes any substantial structure which by nature of its
size, scale, dimensions, bulk, or use tends to constitute a visual
obstruction or generate activity similar to that usually associated
with a building. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the following structures shall be deemed to fall within this description:
Notwithstanding any other provision
of this chapter, a sign may be erected on or affixed to a structure
that has a principal function that is something other than the support
of the sign (e.g., a fence), but does not constitute a building as
defined in this chapter, only if such sign is located so as to comply
with the setback requirement applicable to freestanding signs in the
district where such sign is located.
Whenever a lot in a nonresidential district
has a common boundary line with a lot in a residential district, and
the property line setback requirement applicable to the residential
lot is greater than that applicable to the nonresidential lot, then
the lot in the nonresidential district shall be required to observe
the property line setback requirement applicable to the adjoining
residential lot.
Setback distances shall be measured from
the property line or street right-of-way line to a point on the lot
that is directly below the nearest extension of any part of the building
that is substantially a part of the building itself and not a mere
appendage to it (such as a flagpole, etc.).
Whenever a private road that serves more
than three lots or more than three dwelling units or that serves any
nonresidential use tending to generate traffic equivalent to more
than three dwelling units is located along a lot boundary, then:
If the lot is not also bordered by
a public street, buildings and freestanding signs shall be set back
from the center line of the private road just as if such road were
a public street.
If the lot is also bordered by a
public street, then the setback distance on lots used for residential
purposes shall be measured from the inside boundary of the traveled
portion of the private road.
The height of a building shall be
the vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the finished
grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the building.
A point of access to a roof shall
be the top of any parapet wall or the lowest point of a roof's surface,
whichever is greater. Roofs with slopes greater than 75% are regarded
as walls.
Subject to the remaining provisions of this section, building height limitations in the various zoning districts shall be as indicated in the Table of Density and Dimensional Regulations (§ 128-117).
The features described in Subsection C(3) above must be set back from the edge of the roof a minimum distance of one foot for every foot by which such features extend above the roof surface of the principal building to which they are attached.
The Planning Commission authority may authorize or require that parapet walls be constructed (up to a height not exceeding that of the features screened) to shield the features listed in Subsections C(1) and (2) from view.
Notwithstanding Subsection B, in any zoning district, the vertical distance from the ground to a point of access to a roof surface of any nonresidential building or any multifamily residential building containing four or more dwelling units may not exceed 50 feet unless the Fire Chief certifies to the permit-issuing authority that such building is designed to provide adequate access for fire-fighting personnel or the Building Inspector certifies that the building is otherwise designed or equipped to provide adequate protection against the dangers of fire.
Subject to the other provisions of this
section, if any portion of a tract lies within an area designated
on any officially adopted Town plan as part of a proposed public park,
greenway, or bikeway, and before the tract is developed, the owner
of the tract, with the concurrence of the Town, dedicates to the Town
that portion of the tract so designated, then when the remainder of
the tract is developed for residential purposes, the permissible density
at which the remainder may be developed shall be calculated in accordance
with the provisions of this section.
If the proposed use of the remainder is a single-family detached residential subdivision, then the lots in such subdivision may be reduced in accordance with the provisions of §§ 128-115 and 128-116, except that the developer need not set aside usable open space to the extent that an equivalent amount of land has previously been dedicated to the Town in accordance with Subsection A.
If the proposed use of the remainder is
a two-family or multifamily project, then the permissible density
at which the remainder may be developed shall be calculated by regarding
the dedicated portion of the original lot as if it were still part
of the lot proposed for development.
If the portion of the tract that remains after dedication as provided in Subsection A is divided in such a way that the resultant parcels are intended for future subdivision or development, then each of the resultant parcels shall be entitled to its pro rata share of the density bonus provided for in Subsections B and C.